Traffic stop eventually leads to civil forfeiture

Shelley Jordan

(MARSHALL JONES /InfoTel Multimedia)

November 28, 2013 - 3:35 PM

KELOWNA - A Kelowna man was first caught for speeding, then lost cell phones and $51,780 in a civil forfeiture.

When RCMP stopped the red Volkswagon Beetle for going 86 km/h in a posted 60 km/h zone on Highway 33 East near McKenzie Road, a search was conducted for undisclosed reasons. During the search police seized three cell phones from the cab as well as a backpack from the truck containing two sums of cash, one in a vacuum sealed bag. No drugs were immediately apparent, but a police service dog later 'indicated' on the bag, suggesting it may have been contaminated with drug residue.

The man, 30, was released at the scene, taking with him a ticket for speeding.

Investigators referred the case to the B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office, resulting in the forfeiture of the cash and three cell phones.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior